Welcome to Vantage Explorations' La Dolce Vita
Sail the legendary shores and secret hinterlands of the French and Italian rivieras, where sea meets story and hills cradle history. From waterfront villages to cliffside citadels, we hear tales of the wanderers and visionaries who shaped this stretch of Europe, tracing its transformation through ancient empires, ages of elegance, artistic awakenings, and cinematic flair. All wrapped in the enduring spirit of La Dolce Vita.
On arrival at Nice Côte d'Azur Airport and make your way to the arrival's hall to meet our Vantage Explorations representative and be transferred to our group hotel. Please visit our hospitality desk in the hotel lobby to collect your luggage cabin tags and to speak with our ground operations team, who will share information regarding your itinerary in Nice and pre-embarkation procedures. After receiving your Vantage Explorations cabin tags for your luggage, please clearly label the tags with your name and ship cabin number to assist our crew in delivering your luggage to your cabin.
Relax into the ‘riviera vibe’ today, with the reminder of your day leisure.
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Nice (or similar)
As one of the Mediterranean’s most iconic cities, Nice grants us a millionaire's access to the French Riviera today with our ‘Your Choice’ morning experiences offering a selection of excursions fit for a VIP. Indulge in a little boutique shopping, take a dip in ‘the Med’ or linger over a lunch of French treats this afternoon, before we gather for a welcome drink to celebrate the start of our journey.
To most travellers the name Promenade des Anglais is synonymous with the stretch of shoreline connecting Antibes to Nice. Named after the wealthy English upper class who placed Nice at the top of their Grand Tour bucket list, the Promenade des Anglais follows the Mediterranean coast past an array of Belle Epoque hotels, Art Deco apartments and umbrellaed beaches. At the limit of the ruling House of Savoy, the people of the riviera voted to join France in the 1860s rather than the new Kingdom of Italy, making this region a unique blend of both cultures. The unique light, relaxed lifestyle and extravagant parties attracted as many artists and literary elite of the 20th century as it had attracted aristocrats the century before. From Monet, Chaplin and Valentino in Antibes to Bonnard at Le Cannet, and Picasso – to just about everywhere – it became the place to be seen for the avant-garde. This pocket of sunshine and decadence still attracts artists, authors and actors, who paint its vistas, write its stories and come to Cannes to be idolised.
Personalise your exploration with our included ‘Your Choice’ experiences.
Option 1 – Morning experience: Walking Nice’s Old Town
Our guided walk through the Old Town leads us along cobblestone streets, where our host regales us with tales of French delights including the vibrant Cours Saleya, renowned for its bustling flower market since 1861. Here, a mix of locals and tourists converge to revel in a dazzling array of flowers ‒ from elaborate bouquets to single blooms, each infused with unforgettable scents and colours. Don’t miss Queen Victoria’s cherished chocolate shop, offering historical confections and aromatic delicacies. The Old Town buzzes with French flare, creating a vibrant Mediterranean atmosphere where every shop tells a story of tradition, flavour, and the warm hospitality of Nice.
Option 2 – Morning experience: Picasso's Riviera Retreat
Pablo Picasso, as vibrant, colourful and surreal as his works, is one of the most captivating figures in art history. Spanish by birth, his heart found a home on the French Riviera and its enchanting hinterland. The two months Picasso spent at Antibes’ Castle Grimaldi marks one of his most prolific periods, where painting and socialising became a daily rhythm. Amid the post-war exuberance, Picasso thrived in the Riviera’s lively atmosphere, surrounded by friends, admirers, and a devoted 23-year-old girlfriend, all of whom adored him.
Explore Picasso’s masterpieces at Castle Grimaldi, where his creativity flourished, before enjoying free time to wander the waterfront streets of Antibes. Browse its colourful shops, and admire the ancient city walls, or stroll the marina at Port Vauban, where luxury yachts gleam in true riviera style.
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Nice (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Welcome Reception (drinks and canapes)
We depart Nice for a scenic drive to the medieval village of Saint-Paul de Vence. Our journey takes us inland to this traditional hilltop enclave, where the vibrant colours and artistic heritage of Picasso, Modigliani, Dufy, and Matisse run rich as its history. Marc Chagall, who returned from exile during World War II and lived in the village for 19 years, rests in the local cemetery, adding to the artistic prestige of the area. Here, our local guide will introduce you to tales of the renowned artists who were drawn to this quintessential Provençal village, before there’s time for you to explore at your own pace.
Early afternoon we return to the coast where Monaco welcomes us in true style, offering a gateway to this one-of-a-kind principality. The opulent attitude of the world’s second smallest country is its greatest attraction. Smaller than New York’s Central Park, Monaco’s 500-acre size, boasts the second highest GDP per capita in the world. Although the 9,500 native Monégasque are banned by law from gambling, it is the nation’s foreign-born citizens, with their oversized bank accounts, multi-million Euro apartments and high-roller habits who frequent the casinos, with over 30 per cent of the principality's residents listed as millionaires. They’ll be time to introduce yourself to Monaco prior to boarding Douglas Mawson late-afternoon, where we enjoy a welcome dinner as we sail the French coastline towards Italy.
We slip quietly into Italian waters with daybreak finding us at the ancient maritime master of Genoa. This naval powerhouse lies as a guardian of Italy’s northern coastline. The old port leads visitors through steep and narrow streets past medieval houses and churches which stand witness to the city’s maritime history. Above the port is Renaissance Genoa, where Genoese merchants built fine palaces which rivalled even Venice. Art lovers will delight in exploring one of Genoa’s palatial galleries, maritime enthusiasts can pay homage at Christopher Columbus’s birthplace and discover one of Europe’s premier maritime museums, while literature fans can wander the city that inspired iconic authors to put pen to paper.
Personalise your exploration with our included ‘Your Choice’ experiences
Option 1 - Morning experience: Genoa’s Palatial Artworks
Genoas old town gifts us streets of palaces, churches and fountains. Each telling a tale of the city’s opulent past. We will tour one of the city’s favourites, farmed for its opulent decor and artworks. The 16th and 17th centuries saw a flurry of artistic activity in this wealthy shipping city. The impetus was provided by several Flemish artists including Rubens and Van Dyck, who were invited to Genoa by its merchant families, primarily painting portraits. Listed amongst the 42 Genoese palaces labelled UNESCO World Heritage sites, the stunning 16th-century residence Musei di Strada Nuova on Via Garibaldi offers a glimpse into Genoa’s opulent past. Once home to the city’s elite, Strada Nuova is a treasure trove of art, featuring works by Caravaggio, Paganini, Van Dyck, and more. With over 75 rooms to explore, your tour will include palatial apartments, stunning courtyarded gardens, and terraces that provide grand views of the city and its historic centre.
Option 2 - Morning experience: Genoa’s Maritime Legacy
Whilst sponsorship for the cultural arts was popular, the dominant pastime of the wealthy Genoese was exploration. After all, Christopher Columbus was born here. Genoa was a maritime giant, with much of its wealth due to ‘the new world’ and its trade of exotic wares. We start our day with a brief visit to Chrisopher Columbus’s House to learn more about the motivation behind the man, before we continue to the Galata Maritime Museum. Opened in 2004 “the Galata” is steeped in history. Three centuries earlier, the ground floor was the workshop where the galleys of the Republic of Genoa were built and the building was part of the Arsenal, the most important military and maritime complex of the city. We mingle amongst historical artifacts, works of art and life-size replicas of Genoese vessels as we discover the maritime trade which funded much of Genoa’s wealth. At the end of your tour, choose to linger longer at the museum and make your way to our own maritime wonder, Douglas Mawson, which is moored nearby, or return to the ship for lunch.
From La Spezia, we explore the enchanting Cinque Terre, where five picturesque villages cling to dramatic coastal cliffs and have inspired artists and travellers for generations. Discover them from the sea with visits to two of the villages or follow one of the region's celebrated walking trails between two villages before rejoining our private boat for a scenic return to La Spezia.
Personalise your exploration with our included ‘Your Choice’ experiences
Option 1 – Full day experience: The Cinque Terre by Sea
Literally translated as ‘the five lands’, these villages span a series of coastal ravines and rugged ridges along a nine-mile stretch of the Ligurian coast. The steep coastal landscape of the Cinque Terre has afforded residents an idiosyncratic lifestyle for centuries, as they staved off pirates, fought off floods and resisted invasions. This UNESCO World Heritage Site retains its authentic determination, preserving individual dialects, traditional trades and communal ties. Almost inaccessible until the 1870s, the Cinque Terre represent a microcosm of Italian coastal life: sun, sea, fine food and wine, and a relaxed charm — guaranteed to put a smile on the face of any traveller.
We board our private ferry for a picturesque journey to these scenic coastal villages. As we glide along the shoreline, our local guide shares the rich history and character of each charming waterfront hamlet. Once ashore, there’s time to explore and soak in the atmosphere at your own pace. Note: Owing to the unique character of the Cinque Terre villages, where dining options are generally limited to small local cafés and restaurants, lunch is not included today. Villages visited may vary due to local conditions.
Option 2 - Full day experience: The Cinque Terre Trail
Commencing our day in the Cinque Terre we transfer to Monterosso al Mare, the westernmost of the Cinque Terre villages, where a broad waterfront, colourful houses, and a lively harbour reflect the maritime character of the Ligurian coast.
From Monterosso, we follow the 4 km (2.5 mile) section of the famed Sentiero Azzurro to Vernazza. This moderately challenging walk follows a mixture of stone footpaths, stepped sections, and narrow trails that traverse the hillside above the sea. At times the route hugs the cliffs, with sweeping views across the Ligurian coastline, before passing through terraces of olives and vineyards that have shaped the landscape here for centuries.
Our walk ends in Vernazza, a fishing village clustered around a natural harbour. With its pastel-coloured buildings, narrow lanes, and small piazza overlooking the sea, it is an ideal place to pause and absorb the atmosphere for which the Cinque Terre is famous. Here we join our fellow travellers and board our private ferry for a cruise along the coast, passing the villages from a different perspective before returning to La Spezia. Note: Owing to the unique character of the Cinque Terre villages, where dining options are generally limited to small local cafés and restaurants, lunch is not included today. Villages visited may vary due to local conditions.
When Italian women give birth they use the phrase, dare alla luce, which literally means to ‘give to the light.’ It is no coincidence that the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, widely acknowledged as having dragged Europe from the dark days of the Middle Ages into the light, was closely associated with the Renaissance or ‘The Rebirth’. Rising from the ruins of the Roman Empire, Tuscany flourished into a wealthy trading and banking centre becoming Europe’s first capitalist state. The Duchy’s ruling family, the Medicis, sponsored its artistic scene with fervour. Artists transitioned from tradespeople to celebrities overnight, with da Vinci playing lute at their private parties and Michelangelo befriended by men who would become popes. The ruling classes commissioned works of art such as Donatello’s Penitent Magdalene, Cellini’s Perseus with the Head of Medusa, Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Raphael’s Madonna del Cardellino. Throughout the Duchy, art was showcased in piazzas, scattered throughout the streets and placed at the townhall steps. A form of propaganda and a sign of power for all to see.
A selection of ‘Italian classics’ highlight the wonders of Tuscany on our ‘Your Choice’ experiences today.
From Michelangelo to Leonardo di Vinci and Bonanno Pisano to Amerigo Vespucci, your day will be filled with their designs, artworks and architectural icons. We overnight in the port of Livorno to accommodate our shore excursions, with a farewell dinner held onboard to celebrate our Mediterranean voyage.
Personalise your exploration with our included ‘Your Choice’ experiences
Option 1 – Full-day experience: San Gimignano with Tuscan Winery Lunch
When filmmakers look to Italy for locations, they need look no further than the Tuscan gem of San Gimignano. Tea with Mussolini, A Portrait of a Woman, Gladiator, Life is Beautiful, The English Patient and Under the Tuscan Sun all feature scenes shot here. San Gimignano itself is a work of art. The town’s medieval architecture serves as a backdrop for everything Tuscan, with artisan shopfronts displaying everything that is superb about Italian food, and cafes offering everything that is wonderous about Italian cuisine. Even its streets and cobblestone alleys wind in a way that makes every corner worthy of exploration. And did we mention its towers? It is the town’s 14 remaining medieval towers proudly rising above its skyline, which preserve the town’s feudal appearance and confirm San Gimignano as the superlative of Tuscan towns.
After building up a thirst exploring San Gimignano’s medieval streets, we venture into the Tuscan countryside to a traditional winery. Here, we enjoy a guided tasting of regional wines before sitting down to a relaxed lunch; Tuscan style, surrounded by sweeping vineyard views and the flavours that define this celebrated region.
Option 2 – Full-day experience: The Rebirth of Florence
Accessible to all who visit, Florence’s works of art are scattered throughout its streets as statues, fountains, chapels and bell towers — all overlooked by Brunelleschi’s magnificent domed cathedral. Even the gelato is sculpted in Florence!
Carved from a single slab of marble, Michelangelo’s David is the ultimate Renaissance man, commissioned as the centrepiece for the city’s main square. Today it sits in its own gallery, but a replica at its original location tells its story almost as well. Our locally guided tour walks us through a day in the life of Renaissance Florence as we tread the streets where the early artists plied their trade, sought wealthy patrons and huddled in backstreet studios to learn from the masters. This introductory tour is followed by free time for you to enjoy the city at your will. Visit the markets of San Lorenzo to purchase souvenirs, leather goods and Florentine fashion. Explore the interior of the second largest cathedral in Europe: Florence Duomo. Visit a gallery or linger over an authentic Florentine dish at your own pace. Note: To maximise your time at leisure in Florence, lunch has not been included in this excursion.
We disembark in Livorno, with our morning's drive finding us at one of Umbria's hilltop gems: Orvieto. Perched dramatically atop a volcanic plateau, Orvieto is one of central Italy's most captivating hill towns, famed for its magnificent Gothic cathedral and enchanting medieval streets. Following an introductory guided walk, enjoy free time to explore at your own pace. Browse the artisan shops, admire the town's architectural treasures, or simply settle into a café or trattoria for lunch and sample the flavours of Umbria. Whether wandering its flower-filled lanes, discovering hidden corners rich in history, or taking in views across the surrounding countryside, Orvieto offers an irresistible blend of beauty, history and authentic Italian charm.
Our afternoon drive takes us to Rome where we have a relaxing evening ready to explore Italy’s capital tomorrow.
Accommodation: Starhotels Metropole Rome (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast onboard
An intriguing tale of historical drama and legendary myths make Rome a popular topic in a game of trivia. Scandalous and sanguine, Roman lifestyle swung from democratic to autocratic, slavery to liberation, paganism to Christianity. The Roman empire’s public relations machine flaunted its sovereignty with triumphant arches and fluted columns, monolithic mausoleums, statue-filled stairways and masterfully engineered temples. Enhanced by the wealth of the Catholic Church, the city added to its opulence and grandeur with baroque fountains, obelisk-centred piazzas and Christendom’s domed cathedrals. The story of ancient Rome’s insurmountable empire, its dramatic demise and the rise of the powerful Catholic Church is one of Europe’s most compelling stories.
A tour of Rome is a highlight of any visit to Italy, especially for those whose homeland isn’t blessed with such a wealth of history. Imperial relics rekindle the era when Rome’s population of one million surpassed any other city worldwide. Our local guides merge the city’s past and present through their stories on every street corner, along every alley and in every piazza.
Choose a shorter, comprehensive tour to see a slice of Roman life, or lace up your walking shoes and experience Rome from street level on a locally guided walking tour. In the afternoon, enjoy time for independent exploration, or join us to visit one of Christendom’s greatest Basilicas; St Peters, before we gather this evening for a Farewell reception.
Personalise your exploration with our included ‘Your Choice’ experiences
Option 1 - Morning experience: Highlights of Rome
Rome reveals its tale as we tour its major sights on this morning experience. We encounter the Colosseum and Roman Forum, viewing them from a nearby terrace at the Capitoline Museum, while our guide inspires us with stories of Rome’s past. Gifted to the people of Rome as a museum to house the generous number of sculptures and statues left scattered throughout the city, the Capitoline Museum was the brainchild of Pope Sixtus IV. We have free time in the museum to browse its collection at our own pace while we piece together the city’s past through its numerous artworks, before our journey continues with a drive towards the Trevi Fountain. Surrounded by a pedestrian zone, a visit to the world’s most famous fountain offers not only a timeless photo opportunity but also the chance to ensure your return to Rome, just don’t forget to toss in a coin!
Afterwards, you may return to the hotel for a leisurely afternoon at your own pace, with the option to rejoin the group in mid-afternoon for a visit to St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Alternatively, continue exploring the treasures of the Eternal City independently. Note: some sights on this tour may be viewed only from the vehicle, depending on the local conditions on the day. If you wish you continue onto the Afternoon experience: St Peters Basilica excursion, there will be a short break at the hotel prior to transferring to the Vatican by coach.
Option 2 – Half day experience: Roaming Rome
Lace up your walking shoes, slip on a hat and splash on sunscreen to join this comprehensive locally guided tour. Established in an era when few Romans owned transportation, the centre of historical Rome is ideal for walking. With every square foot offering a fascinating fact, we are spoiled for choice by the wealth of sites we experience. Architectural highlights include ancient landmarks such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Trajan’s Column, and the grand Vittorio Emanuele II Monument. Our locally guided walk brings us to the artistic masterpieces of the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon with our journey concluding at one of Rome’s most enchanting gathering places: Piazza Navona. Each site tells its own story, as our expert guides bring the past to life with tales of emperors, gladiators, plebeians, Renaissance artists, popes, and legionaries who once called Rome home.
Afterwards, choose to return to our vehicle and head back to the hotel, continue exploring the wonders of the Eternal City independently or join us to visit the Vatican’s St Peters Basilica. Note: some sights on this tour may be viewed only from the vehicle, depending on local conditions on the day. The visit to the Pantheon is subject to group ticket, time slotted availability. Note: If you wish you continue onto the Afternoon experience: St Peters Basilica, you will continue from this excursion to the Vatican by coach.
Option 1 - Afternoon experience: St Peters Basilica
We drive to the Vatican City for a guided visit to one of Christianity’s most iconic landmarks: St. Peter’s Basilica. Once the site of Emperor Nero’s brutal spectacles, the Vatican Hill was transformed into sacred ground by Constantine, Rome’s first Christian emperor, who declared it 'the hill of the martyrs.' Today, this sovereign city-state — granted independence from Italy in 1929 — houses the heart of the Catholic Church.
Towering above it all is St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in Christendom and a breathtaking example of Renaissance architecture. Designed in part by Michelangelo, who at age 72 created the majestic dome, the basilica rises above what is believed to be the tomb of St. Peter, the first apostle and first Pope. Admire Michelangelo’s moving Pietà, Bernini’s grand baldachin, and the sheer scale and spiritual gravitas of this revered site. Note: visitation times for St. Peters can be amended at short notice by Vatican authorities and entrance cannot always be guaranteed.
Accommodation: Starhotels Metropole Rome (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Reception (drinks and canapes)
After breakfast, check-out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Meals: Breakfast
